Zoë Mulkey

A Lifetime of

Musical Motivation

Junior Zoë Mulkey’s influences throughout her life push her to be involved in fine arts. BY TARA JUNGDEN REPORTER

All her close friends know that if they need to her high school music career ends. find her in any moment of free time during “If I did music therapy I think I would want to school hours, junior Zoë Mulkey will be in work with either mentally or physically disabled people,” the music room. From choreographing dances Mulkey said. “Music has been proven to help with mental for the Grade School musical, to practicing any one of stimulation. I’d be helping people that are really struggling.” the numerous instruments she’s able to play, to simply While Mulkey may not want to make a career out spending time with her biggest musical supporter, mother of music, her current commitments to the subject are and teacher Elizabeth Mulkey, Mulkey’s time in the Old extensive. Playing in her church’s orchestra, school jazz Grande Salle is dedicated to all things fine arts. ensemble, drumline, symphony, a North Kansas City youth

“She’s a strong leader, especially in Tri-M [Music jazz band and serving as president of Tri-M Music Honor Honor Society],” Elizabeth said. “She’s had a lot of focus society, Mulkey’s musical talent is not going to waste. and a lot of ideas that have been really strong and acted as a In addition to Mulkey’s obvious musical voice for the performing arts in general here at Sion.” accomplishments is another, not as well known, layer of

Beginning her musical pursuits with piano lessons fine art ability that she possesses: dance. Mulkey has been and introduction to reading music at the age of 5, there is taking dance lessons since she was in first grade, and hardly a time in Mulkey’s life she can remember where she although she no longer dances competitively, she continues wasn’t involved with music. Even before she began playing to take weekly lessons. piano, Mulkey said she was always surrounded by music “I love the athleticism of [dancing] and the beauty and due to her father’s constant instrument playing and her all the different styles,” Mulkey said. mother’s singing. Students were first offered a hint of Mulkey’s dancing

“My dad plays the mandolin and guitar and sings a abilities in this year’s production of “Thoroughly Modern little bit; he used to play me and my little brother to sleep Millie.” Her role as a speakeasy dancer/stenographer/Rita all when we were little,” Mulkey said. “And with my mom involved extensive amounts of rehearsal and choreography always having been a music teacher, music has always been memorization. Mulkey’s love of dance corresponds to her a very prominent part of my life.” love of musicals and her inkling to participate both as a cast

With a choir/symphony/drama teacher as a mother, member and a helping hand. Mulkey has participated in the grade school music teachers as a great grandmother and high school musicals all three of her years at Sion. a great-great grandmother and various other relatives “I love the dancing and the acting and the stories they involved in some aspect of the musical world, it is clear tell,” Mulkey said. “I also love the closeness that comes out that devotion to a life of music is not at all unusual in her of it; by the end of the show the cast is a family.” close or extended family. However, Mulkey is not letting Despite Mulkey’s assurance that a music based career her familial connection to music education influence her is not what her future has in store, her lifelong passion in career choice in the slightest. its regard is something that she has treasured and is not

“I’ve never considered teaching music as a profession, willing to easily let go of. Although her continuation of but I like the idea of doing recreational music in community musical participation may not come in the formal sense her groups,” Mulkey said. “I also like the idea of things like family or friends expected it would be, Mulkey’s intended going into nursing homes and preschools and doing stuff use of music as a source of recreation and service allow there just for fun and to provide service.” her to have the best of both worlds as she continues her

It is through her involvement in the Sion grade school studies in college and later career life while also being able musical, “Honk! Jr.,” that Mulkey realized how much she to maintain this as a creative outlet. enjoys helping people with the arts. And while she wouldn’t “Music is like a whole other language, full of want her profession to revolve around teaching children, expression,” Mulkey said. “It’s how I’ll always be able to she says she’s interested in offering beginner saxophone express my feelings. Even if it’s just in a non-competitive lessons on the side and volunteering in music therapy once setting, it’ll always be there to make my life a little brighter.”